Cognitive Impairment

Cognitive impairment occurs when there is a problem with perceiving, thinking, or remembering. Strokes are a common cause of cognitive impairment. Other causes include head injuries and some chronic diseases, such as sickle cell disease or multiple sclerosis.

Cognitive impairment may cause difficulties with:

Memory, especially short-term memory.

Problem solving.

Attention span, especially in a mental task such as a math calculation.

Expressing oneself, such as finding the right words to use in a conversation.

Therapy may help a person make the most of his or her abilities.

By

Healthwise Staff

Primary Medical Reviewer

Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics

Specialist Medical Reviewer

Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics

Last Revised

September 20, 2012

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